The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation:
Have an instrument to donate? Contact these folks to send it to a needy school.

Remember, we also operate the Play On Instrument Drive for the benefit of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. You can also donate through the store for this cause!

If you're looking for information, value, or a buyer for that old instrument you found in Uncle Bert's basement, here are a few sources.

Keep in mind that these folks get zillions of requests, and don't expect much (if any) reply unless you've got something reallyinteresting. They are not operating a free advice service, nor are they avid collectors ready to buy every cool guitar that happens along.

These are experts, and expert advice usually costs something. They only buy something to sell it at a profit, so you won't get market value for an instrument even if they DO make an offer--but they have access to buyers you'd never find, (and can get prices out of them you'd never have the credibility to ask) so it may still be in your best interest to work through them. You may be able to glean enough information from their sites or related links to get an idea about your instrument.

If you contact them and they seem interested in it, they'll want a clear photo of front, back, and details of special features or flaws before they'll even speculate about it. Remember too that a listing for a specific price on an auction site doesn't mean squat unless it is SOLD at that price.

An instrument is only worth what you can sell it for, not what you might sell it for.

You are more likely to have an intact mastodon skeleton in your backyard than a Stradivarius in your attic. Yes, we know it says it's one on the label. We call them "Stradivarious", because there are so many copies of the Master's violins out there, some more legit than others. That doesn't mean it's worthless, but an older (as in pre-WWII) instrument in playing condition could be worth from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. (As opposed to millions for one from Tony's shop in old Cremona.) Only an expert can appraise its quality and condition.

Craftsman Peter Horn
is in our store every other Saturday
from 9-1. Bring it by for a $10 verbal appraisal
if you want to get more information.

Learn more about preserving your hearing. Studies have shown musicians lose high frequency perception and general acuity earlier and more commonly than the general population. DUH.Protect your hearing!